PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Anis, Aslam H.
TI  - Pharmaceutical policies in Canada: another example of federal-provincial discord
DP  - 2000 Feb 22
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 523--526
VI  - 162
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/162/4/523.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/162/4/523.full
SO  - CMAJ2000 Feb 22; 162
AB  - Pharmaceutical policy in Canada is set at both the federal and provincial levels of government. The federal government is responsible for intellectual property rights of manufacturers (patents) and the initial approval and labelling of prescription drugs and for ensuring overall market competitiveness. The provincial government has responsibility and jurisdiction over the funding of all health care services, including pharmaceuticals. Various interactions between the pharmaceutical industry, the federal and provincial governments and consumers have shaped the current landscape for prescription drugs in Canada. One key failing of the system is that the federal government is almost completely insulated from the impact of its policies because, although it regulates drug prices, it does not buy any drugs. In contrast, provincial governments have no jurisdiction over market competitiveness or pricing, yet end up paying for most of the drug expenditures incurred.